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Diamonds. Gold. Distinctions. Records. Just a few of the words that describe the 2017 Drum Corps International World Championship Finals.

Diamonds

While commemorating a 60-year history, the Blue Devils from Concord, California, took their place at the top of the drum corps world for an unprecedented 18th time. While clinching an undefeated season for the seventh time in the corps’ history, the Blue Devils also continued a trend of 11 straight top-two finishes.

Depicting a masterful journey through time, “Metamorph” portrayed how the world champions have evolved through the decades to bring audiences show after show of innovation, excellence, and excitement.

The spectacular creation also earned the top caption awards for Best Visual Performance and Best Overall General Effect. Indisputably, each facet of their performance shined brilliantly for the Blue Devils’ Diamond Anniversary.

Gold

Celebrating its Golden Anniversary of 50 years, Santa Clara Vanguard finished a close second with a remarkable breakout year that earned the corps its first medal since 2004. The show, “Ouroboros,” explored the theme of reimagination and reinvention through trial and hardship – another incredible presentation that also won the awards for Best Color Guard and Best Percussion Performance.

Adding to the gilded atmosphere, the Santa Clara Alumni Corps featured well over 200 performers with members from all 50 years of the corps’ existence. The astounding 18-minute performance of “Bring in the Memories” absolutely thrilled the audience with excerpts from the most unforgettable Santa Clara shows throughout the decades.

Distinctions

Distinguishing itself once again as having one of the most powerful horn lines, Carolina Crown presented “It Is…” to explore an evolution of the traditional to the bold and eclectic. The strong show repeated the corps’ second-straight third-place finish as well as its third-straight top three placement.

Earning a near-perfect brass caption score of 19.8 of a possible 20 points, the corps also took home its second-straight Jim Ott Award for Best Brass Performance.

Records

Many corps set records, including Boston Crusaders with an all-time high score and a sixth-place finish – up an extraordinary six places from 2016 and posting the highest score in the corps’ 77-year history. DCI also marked yet another year of record-breaking attendance throughout the 2017 Summer Tour, culminating with the highest paid attendance at every open and world class event all week. A stunning 23,342 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium set a new high for in the DCI Finals in Indianapolis.

Wrapping up a year of milestones for corps, for DCI, and for fans, 2017 raised the bar for marching music performance and set the stage for an even more innovative 2018.